Outlook | Newsletter of the Society of Behavioral Medicine

Newest Articles from Annals of Behavioral Medicine and Translational Behavioral Medicine

SBM's two journals, Annals of Behavioral Medicine and Translational Behavioral Medicine (TBM), continuously publish articles online, many of which become available before issues are printed. A few of the newest Annals and TBM articles currently accessible online are listed below.

Annals of Behavioral Medicine

Pathways to Outdoor Recreation, Physical Activity, and Delinquency Among Urban Latino Adolescents
Authors: Caterina G. Roman, Monika Stodolska, Jennifer Yahner and Kimberly Shinew
Abstract: Little is known about how physical activity and various high-risk behaviors of youth are associated, particularly in disadvantaged, minority neighborhoods. We examine whether fear, victimization, and perceived incivilities are associated with physical activity and outdoor recreation among Latino youth and whether involvement in physical activity is associated with delinquency. Path models were assessed using data collected from school-based surveys of 390 youth across 3 schools in Chicago, Illinois. Fear was associated with low levels of physical activity and outdoor recreation, while incivilities were associated with reduced levels of outdoor recreation but not physical activity. Outdoor recreation exhibited a positive association with delinquency. Some effects differed by gender. The findings reinforce considering different interventions to encourage physical activity and outdoor recreation for girls versus boys, and thinking comprehensively about lowering the risk for delinquency when encouraging outdoor recreation.

Physical Activity and Differential Methylation of Breast Cancer Genes Assayed from Saliva: A Preliminary Investigation
Authors: Angela D. Bryan, Renee E. Magnan, Ann E. Caldwell Hooper, Nicole Harlaar and Kent E. Hutchison
Abstract: Individuals who exercise are at lower risk for breast cancer and have better post-diagnosis outcomes. The biological mechanisms behind this association are unclear, but DNA methylation has been suggested. We developed a composite measure of DNA methylation across 45 CpG sites on genes selected a priori. We examined the association of this measure to self-reported physical activity and objectively measured cardiovascular fitness in a sample of healthy nonsmoking adults (n = 64) in an exercise promotion intervention. Individuals who were more physically fit and who exercised more minutes per week had lower levels of DNA methylation. Those who increased their minutes of physical activity over 12 months experienced decreases in DNA methylation. DNA methylation may be a mechanism linking exercise and cancer incidence and could serve as a biomarker for behavioral intervention trials. Studies with larger samples, objectively measured exercise, and more cancer-related markers are needed.

Trends in Presentations of Environmental and Policy Studies Related to Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Obesity at Society of Behavioral Medicine, 1995-2010: a Commentary to Accompany the Active Living Research Supplement to Annals of Behavioral Medicine
Author: James F. Sallis, Jordan A. Carlson, Alexandra M. Mignano, Amanda Lemes and Nicole Wagner
Abstract: None. See full article.

Co-occurring Psychosocial Problems and HIV Risk Among Women Attending Drinking Venues in a South African Township: A Syndemic Approach
Authors: Eileen V. Pitpitan, Seth C. Kalichman, Lisa A. Eaton, Demetria Cain and Kathleen J. Sikkema, et al.
Abstract: In South Africa, women comprise the majority of HIV infections. Syndemics, or co-occurring epidemics and risk factors, have been applied in understanding HIV risk among marginalized groups. The purposes of this study are to apply the syndemic framework to examine psychosocial problems that co-occur among women attending drinking venues in South Africa and to test how the co-occurrence of these problems may exacerbate risk for HIV infection. Five hundred sixty women from a Cape Town township provided data on multiple psychosocial problems, including food insufficiency, depression, abuse experiences, problem drinking, and sexual behaviors.

Bivariate associations among the syndemic factors showed a high degree of co-occurrence and regression analyses showed an additive effect of psychosocial problems on HIV risk behaviors. These results demonstrate the utility of a syndemic framework to understand co-occurring psychosocial problems among women in South Africa. HIV prevention interventions should consider the compounding effects of psychosocial problems among women.

Using Google Street View to Audit the Built Environment: Inter-rater Reliability Results
Authors: Cheryl M. Kelly, Jeffrey S. Wilson, Elizabeth A. Baker, Douglas K. Miller and Mario Schootman
Abstract: Observational field audits are recommended for public health research to collect data on built environment characteristics. A reliable, standardized alternative to field audits that uses publicly available information could provide the ability to efficiently compare results across different study sites and time. This study aimed to assess inter-rater reliability of built environment audits conducted using Google Street View imagery.

In 2011, street segments from St. Louis and Indianapolis were geographically stratified to ensure representation of neighborhoods with different land use and socioeconomic characteristics in both cities. Inter-rater reliability was assessed using observed agreement and the prevalence-adjusted bias-adjusted kappa statistic (PABAK). The mean PABAK for all items was 0.84. Ninety-five percent of the items had substantial (PABAK ≥ 0.60) or nearly perfect (PABAK ≥ 0.80) agreement. Using Google Street View imagery to audit the built environment is a reliable method for assessing characteristics of the built environment.

Translational Behavioral Medicine

News from NIH: resources for team-based research to more effectively address complex public health problems
Authors: Kara L. Hall, Deborah H. Olster, Brooke A. Stipelman and Amanda L. Vogel
Abstract: None. See full article.

The Society of Behavioral Medicine position statement on the CMS decision memo on intensive behavior therapy for obesity
Authors: Sherry L. Pagoto, Lori Pbert, Karen Emmons and on behalf of the Society of Behavioral Medicine Public Policy Leadership Group
Abstract: In 2011, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a decision to cover intensive behavior therapy for obesity in the primary care setting. The Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM) Public Policy Leadership Group reviewed the CMS decision and has issued a position statement. SBM is in support of the CMS decision to cover intensive behavior therapy for obesity but expresses significant concern that aspects of the decision will severely limit the impact of the decision. Concerns focus on the degree to which this care can be feasibly implemented in its current form given the limitations in providers who are covered and the short length of counseling visits relative to evidence-based protocols. SBM is in strong support of modifications that would include providers who have expertise in weight control (e.g., psychologists and dieticians) and to expand the treatment time to better match protocols with confirmed efficacy.

NUTORC-a transdisciplinary health services and outcomes research team in transplantation
Authors: Daniela P. Ladner, Estella M. Alonso, Zeeshan Butt, Juan Carlos Caicedo and David Cella, et al.
Abstract: The field of solid organ transplantation has historically concentrated research efforts on basic science and translational studies. However, there has been increasing interest in health services and outcomes research. The aim was to build an effective and sustainable, inter- and transdisciplinary health services and outcomes research team (NUTORC), that leveraged institutional strengths in social science, engineering, and management disciplines, coupled with an international recognized transplant program. In 2008, leading methodological experts across the university were identified and intramural funding was obtained for the NUTORC initiative. Inter- and transdisciplinary collaborative teams were created across departments and schools within the university. Within 3 years, NUTORC became fiscally sustainable, yielding more than tenfold return of the initial investment. Academic productivity included funding for 39 grants, publication of 60 manuscripts, and 166 national presentations. Sustainable educational opportunities for students were created. Inter- and transdisciplinary health services and outcomes research in transplant can be innovative and sustainable.

Recruiting and engaging smokers in treatment in a primary care setting: developing a chronic care model implemented through a modified electronic health record
Authors: Megan E Piper, Timothy B Baker, Robin Mermelstein, Linda M Collins and David L Fraser, et al.
Abstract: Almost 35 million U.S. smokers visit primary care clinics annually, creating a need and opportunity to identify such smokers and engage them in evidence-based smoking treatment. The purpose of this study is to examine the feasibility and effectiveness of a chronic care model of treating tobacco dependence when it is integrated into primary care systems using electronic health records (EHRs). The EHR prompted primary care clinic staff to invite patients who smoked to participate in a tobacco treatment program. Patients who accepted and were eligible were offered smoking reduction or cessation treatment. More than 65 % of smokers were invited to participate, and 12.4 % of all smokers enrolled in treatment-30 % in smoking reduction and 70 % in cessation treatment. The chronic care model developed for treating tobacco dependence, integrated into the primary care system through the EHR, has the potential to engage up to 4.3 million smokers in treatment a year.

Improving the odds through the Collaboration Success Wizard
Authors: Matthew J Bietz, Steve Abrams, Dan M Cooper, Kathleen R Stevens and Frank Puga, et al.
Abstract: Collaboration has become a dominant mode of scientific inquiry, and good collaborative processes are important for ensuring scientific quality and productivity. Often, the participants in these collaborations are not collocated, yet distance introduces challenges. There remains a need for evaluative tools that can identify potential collaboration problems early and provide strategies for managing and addressing collaboration issues. This paper introduces a new research and diagnostic tool, the Collaboration Success Wizard (CSW), and provides two case studies of its use in evaluating ongoing collaborative projects in the health sciences. The CSW is designed both to validate and refine existing theory about the factors that encourage successful collaboration and to promote good collaborative practices in geographically distributed team-based scientific projects. These cases demonstrate that the CSW can promote reflection and positive change in collaborative science.


Fall 2012	Return to Outlook Main page »
Newest Articles from Annals of Behavioral Medicine and Translational Behavioral Medicine SBM's two journals, Annals of Behavioral Medicine and Translational Behavioral Medicine (TBM), continuously publish articles online, many of which become available before issues are printed. A few of the newest Annals and TBM articles currently accessible online are listed below. Annals of Behavioral Medicine Pathways to Outdoor Recreation, Physical Activity, and Delinquency Among Urban Latino Adolescents Authors: Caterina G. Roman, Monika Stodolska, Jennifer Yahner and Kimberly Shinew Abstract: Little is known about how physical activity and various high-risk behaviors of youth are associated, particularly in disadvantaged, minority neighborhoods. We examine whether fear, victimization, and perceived incivilities are associated with physical activity and outdoor recreation among Latino youth and whether involvement in physical activity is associated with delinquency. Path models were assessed using data collected from school-based surveys of 390 youth across 3 schools in Chicago, Illinois. Fear was associated with low levels of physical activity and outdoor recreation, while incivilities were associated with reduced levels of outdoor recreation but not physical activity. Outdoor recreation exhibited a positive association with delinquency. Some effects differed by gender. The findings reinforce considering different interventions to encourage physical activity and outdoor recreation for girls versus boys, and thinking comprehensively about lowering the risk for delinquency when encouraging outdoor recreation. Physical Activity and Differential Methylation of Breast Cancer Genes Assayed from Saliva: A Preliminary Investigation Authors: Angela D. Bryan, Renee E. Magnan, Ann E. Caldwell Hooper, Nicole Harlaar and Kent E. Hutchison Abstract: Individuals who exercise are at lower risk for breast cancer and have better post-diagnosis outcomes. The biological mechanisms behind this association are unclear, but DNA methylation has been suggested. We developed a composite measure of DNA methylation across 45 CpG sites on genes selected a priori. We examined the association of this measure to self-reported physical activity and objectively measured cardiovascular fitness in a sample of healthy nonsmoking adults (n = 64) in an exercise promotion intervention. Individuals who were more physically fit and who exercised more minutes per week had lower levels of DNA methylation. Those who increased their minutes of physical activity over 12 months experienced decreases in DNA methylation. DNA methylation may be a mechanism linking exercise and cancer incidence and could serve as a biomarker for behavioral intervention trials. Studies with larger samples, objectively measured exercise, and more cancer-related markers are needed. Trends in Presentations of Environmental and Policy Studies Related to Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Obesity at Society of Behavioral Medicine, 1995-2010: a Commentary to Accompany the Active Living Research Supplement to Annals of Behavioral Medicine Author: James F. Sallis, Jordan A. Carlson, Alexandra M. Mignano, Amanda Lemes and Nicole Wagner Abstract: None. See full article. Co-occurring Psychosocial Problems and HIV Risk Among Women Attending Drinking Venues in a South African Township: A Syndemic Approach Authors: Eileen V. Pitpitan, Seth C. Kalichman, Lisa A. Eaton, Demetria Cain and Kathleen J. Sikkema, et al. Abstract: In South Africa, women comprise the majority of HIV infections. Syndemics, or co-occurring epidemics and risk factors, have been applied in understanding HIV risk among marginalized groups. The purposes of this study are to apply the syndemic framework to examine psychosocial problems that co-occur among women attending drinking venues in South Africa and to test how the co-occurrence of these problems may exacerbate risk for HIV infection. Five hundred sixty women from a Cape Town township provided data on multiple psychosocial problems, including food insufficiency, depression, abuse experiences, problem drinking, and sexual behaviors. Bivariate associations among the syndemic factors showed a high degree of co-occurrence and regression analyses showed an additive effect of psychosocial problems on HIV risk behaviors. These results demonstrate the utility of a syndemic framework to understand co-occurring psychosocial problems among women in South Africa. HIV prevention interventions should consider the compounding effects of psychosocial problems among women. Using Google Street View to Audit the Built Environment: Inter-rater Reliability Results Authors: Cheryl M. Kelly, Jeffrey S. Wilson, Elizabeth A. Baker, Douglas K. Miller and Mario Schootman Abstract: Observational field audits are recommended for public health research to collect data on built environment characteristics. A reliable, standardized alternative to field audits that uses publicly available information could provide the ability to efficiently compare results across different study sites and time. This study aimed to assess inter-rater reliability of built environment audits conducted using Google Street View imagery. In 2011, street segments from St. Louis and Indianapolis were geographically stratified to ensure representation of neighborhoods with different land use and socioeconomic characteristics in both cities. Inter-rater reliability was assessed using observed agreement and the prevalence-adjusted bias-adjusted kappa statistic (PABAK). The mean PABAK for all items was 0.84. Ninety-five percent of the items had substantial (PABAK ≥ 0.60) or nearly perfect (PABAK ≥ 0.80) agreement. Using Google Street View imagery to audit the built environment is a reliable method for assessing characteristics of the built environment. Translational Behavioral Medicine News from NIH: resources for team-based research to more effectively address complex public health problems Authors: Kara L. Hall, Deborah H. Olster, Brooke A. Stipelman and Amanda L. Vogel Abstract: None. See full article. The Society of Behavioral Medicine position statement on the CMS decision memo on intensive behavior therapy for obesity Authors: Sherry L. Pagoto, Lori Pbert, Karen Emmons and on behalf of the Society of Behavioral Medicine Public Policy Leadership Group Abstract: In 2011, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a decision to cover intensive behavior therapy for obesity in the primary care setting. The Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM) Public Policy Leadership Group reviewed the CMS decision and has issued a position statement. SBM is in support of the CMS decision to cover intensive behavior therapy for obesity but expresses significant concern that aspects of the decision will severely limit the impact of the decision. Concerns focus on the degree to which this care can be feasibly implemented in its current form given the limitations in providers who are covered and the short length of counseling visits relative to evidence-based protocols. SBM is in strong support of modifications that would include providers who have expertise in weight control (e.g., psychologists and dieticians) and to expand the treatment time to better match protocols with confirmed efficacy. NUTORC-a transdisciplinary health services and outcomes research team in transplantation Authors: Daniela P. Ladner, Estella M. Alonso, Zeeshan Butt, Juan Carlos Caicedo and David Cella, et al. Abstract: The field of solid organ transplantation has historically concentrated research efforts on basic science and translational studies. However, there has been increasing interest in health services and outcomes research. The aim was to build an effective and sustainable, inter- and transdisciplinary health services and outcomes research team (NUTORC), that leveraged institutional strengths in social science, engineering, and management disciplines, coupled with an international recognized transplant program. In 2008, leading methodological experts across the university were identified and intramural funding was obtained for the NUTORC initiative. Inter- and transdisciplinary collaborative teams were created across departments and schools within the university. Within 3 years, NUTORC became fiscally sustainable, yielding more than tenfold return of the initial investment. Academic productivity included funding for 39 grants, publication of 60 manuscripts, and 166 national presentations. Sustainable educational opportunities for students were created. Inter- and transdisciplinary health services and outcomes research in transplant can be innovative and sustainable. Recruiting and engaging smokers in treatment in a primary care setting: developing a chronic care model implemented through a modified electronic health record Authors: Megan E Piper, Timothy B Baker, Robin Mermelstein, Linda M Collins and David L Fraser, et al. Abstract: Almost 35 million U.S. smokers visit primary care clinics annually, creating a need and opportunity to identify such smokers and engage them in evidence-based smoking treatment. The purpose of this study is to examine the feasibility and effectiveness of a chronic care model of treating tobacco dependence when it is integrated into primary care systems using electronic health records (EHRs). The EHR prompted primary care clinic staff to invite patients who smoked to participate in a tobacco treatment program. Patients who accepted and were eligible were offered smoking reduction or cessation treatment. More than 65 % of smokers were invited to participate, and 12.4 % of all smokers enrolled in treatment-30 % in smoking reduction and 70 % in cessation treatment. The chronic care model developed for treating tobacco dependence, integrated into the primary care system through the EHR, has the potential to engage up to 4.3 million smokers in treatment a year. Improving the odds through the Collaboration Success Wizard Authors: Matthew J Bietz, Steve Abrams, Dan M Cooper, Kathleen R Stevens and Frank Puga, et al. Abstract: Collaboration has become a dominant mode of scientific inquiry, and good collaborative processes are important for ensuring scientific quality and productivity. Often, the participants in these collaborations are not collocated, yet distance introduces challenges. There remains a need for evaluative tools that can identify potential collaboration problems early and provide strategies for managing and addressing collaboration issues. This paper introduces a new research and diagnostic tool, the Collaboration Success Wizard (CSW), and provides two case studies of its use in evaluating ongoing collaborative projects in the health sciences. The CSW is designed both to validate and refine existing theory about the factors that encourage successful collaboration and to promote good collaborative practices in geographically distributed team-based scientific projects. These cases demonstrate that the CSW can promote reflection and positive change in collaborative science.